‘Saltburn’ Makes a Splash with One of the Best Limited Debuts in 2023 at the Domestic Box Office

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Jacob Elordi is riding high in the film industry this year, much like what Timothée Chalamet could have achieved if not for a movie delay. Elordi’s latest film, “Saltburn,” directed by the talented Emerald Fennell and co-starring Barry Keoghan, has made a significant impact with its strong limited opening and positive critical reception. With impressive per-theater earnings and international box office success, “Saltburn” is poised for broader success and a nationwide expansion.

Star Jacob Elordi is currently enjoying a phenomenal year, reminiscent of what could have been for Timothée Chalamet if “Dune: Part Two” hadn’t faced delays. While Chalamet’s schedule might have been disrupted, Elordi is making waves, and just a few weeks after the successful debut of “Priscilla,” his latest venture, “Saltburn,” has entered the scene with one of the best limited openings of the year.

Directed by Emerald Fennell, known for her Oscar-winning screenplay for “Promising Young Woman,” “Saltburn” takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride with its psychological black comedy thriller narrative. It also features last year’s Best Supporting Actor nominee, Barry Keoghan, in a parallel lead role. The chemistry between these two talented actors, which had been under wraps due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, undoubtedly contributed to the movie’s increased appeal.

“Saltburn” premiered in seven domestic theaters over the weekend, raking in an impressive $315,000, resulting in a robust per-theater average of $45,000.

This per-theater average is among the highest of the year so far, on par with the dark comedy “Bottoms,” which made its debut in ten theaters, achieving a PTA of $46,000. A24’s “Past Lives” and “Beau is Afraid” debuted with $58,000 and $80,000 PTAs, respectively, while Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City” achieved a remarkable $100,000 PTA from just four theaters in June. Notably, “Priscilla” generated $132,000 from just four theaters less than a month ago, with a $33,000 PTA before expanding nationwide a week later. The film has since crossed the $16 million mark domestically. Comparatively, “Promising Young Woman” concluded its domestic run with slightly over $6 million in mid-pandemic 2020 but garnered significant online buzz en route to five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.

Saltburn Has Received Mostly Positive Reviews

“Saltburn,” which follows a university student’s infatuation-driven summer with a schoolmate, premiered at this year’s Telluride Film Festival to generally positive reviews. Currently holding a “fresh” 73% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has made its mark. Emma Kiely from FilmSweep commented in her review that while “Saltburn” may not bring anything entirely new to the recent surge of “Eat the Rich” films, it offers a “very fun ride worth taking — one full of excess, dirt, comedy, and bodily fluids.”

Aside from Elordi and Keoghan, “Saltburn” boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, and Archie Madekwe. The film has already earned $1.3 million from international territories, resulting in an early global haul of $1.6 million. With the Thanksgiving weekend approaching, “Saltburn” is gearing up for a nationwide expansion. Stay tuned to FilmSweep for more updates on this thrilling cinematic experience.

Film Details:

• Release Date: November 17, 2023
• Director: Emerald Fennell
• Cast: Rosamund Pike, Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Carey Mulligan, Archie Madekwe

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• Jacob Elordi – IMDb page for Jacob Elordi.
• Emerald Fennell – IMDb page for Emerald Fennell.
• Rotten Tomatoes – Rotten Tomatoes website for movie reviews and ratings.